Christopher Paolini
Personally, I had a great education. My mum was a trained teacher, a Montessori teacher, and I know that I could not have written 'Eragon' if I had gone into a public school system because I would have just been too busy attending classes and doing homework - I wouldn't have had the time to write.Collection: Teacher
The advantage of writing from experience is that it often provides you with details that you would never think of yourself, no matter how rich your imagination. And specificity in description is something every writer should strive for.Collection: Imagination
I think I learned most from editing, both editing myself and having someone else edit me. It's not always easy to have someone criticize your work, your baby. But if you can swallow your ego, you can really learn from the editing.
If I spent my time worrying about what other people would think of my work, I would be too self-conscious to write.
I find inspiration in many places. Sometimes music gives me the kernel of a story. Sometimes it's dissatisfaction with the plot of a movie or a book that gets me thinking. Sometimes it's love of a movie or book.
Basically, I would be happy with any profession where I got to be creative and make things.
Just writing a lot doesn't necessarily make you a better writer. You have to hear yourself as a writer, and the best way to do that is to read your writing out loud.
I have 20 or 30 books completely plotted out in my mind - mysteries, thrillers, horror, romance, science fiction. You name it.
I've stood outside my house in Montana looking at the northern lights... crackling against the night sky. To me, that's magic.
I've always been very grateful that enough people have enjoyed reading what I've written that I've been able to pursue writing professionally.
I love telling stories and I love writing so the fact that I can do it professionally is something that I've always been very grateful for.
If you want to be a professional writer then you need to write consistently. Inspiration strikes about once every blue moon which, for me, is once every two and a half to three months, which is when I'll get really and truly inspired about something.
I built two forges when I was in my teens. I was just really, really into metalworking and making stuff.
I'm the sort of person that starts digging a hole and doesn't stop until it's finished.
I don't discuss my own beliefs in public, but I will say the beliefs I've given my characters do not necessarily represent what I myself believe.
I had friends growing up; there were other home-schoolers we were in touch with so we weren't isolated, and I've always been happy engaged in my own projects and pursuing my own goals.
Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now.Collection: Inspirational
The monsters of the mind are far worse than those that actually exist.Collection: Mind
Without fear there cannot be courage.Collection: Fear
Do not dwell on what once was, but rather look forward and ponder how you can make the future brighterCollection: Looks
It's impossible to go through life unscathed. Nor should you want to. By the hurts we accumulate, we measure both our follies and our accomplishments.Collection: Hurt
The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.Collection: Beach
A negative outlook is more of a handicap than any physical injury.Collection: Negative
The purpose of life is not to do what we want but what needs to be done.Collection: Needs
Keep in mind, Eragon, that no one thinks himself a villain, and few make decisions they think are wrong. A person may dislike his choice, but he will stand by it because, even in the worst circumstances, he believes that it was the best option available to him at the time.Collection: Believe
Wise? No, I simply learned to think.Collection: Wise
Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.Collection: Book
A true warrior does not fight because he wishes to but because he has to. A man who yearns for war, a man who enjoys his killing, he is a brute and a monster. No matter how much glory he wins on the battlefield, that cannot erase the fact that he is no better than a rabid wolf who will turn on his friends and family as soon as his foes.Collection: War
Find peace in where and what you are.Collection: Finding Peace
I know what we do is right but right doesn't always mean easy.Collection: Mean
Atra esterni' ono thelduin Mor' rana li'fa unin hjarta onr Un du evari'nya ono varda (May good fortune rule over you peace live in your heart may the stars watch over you)Collection: Stars
Until we invent telepathy, books are our best choice for understanding the rest of humanity.Collection: Book
I am not who I was, but I know who I am.Collection: Who I Am
Because you can't argue with all the fools in the world. It's easier to let them have their way, then trick them when they're not paying attention.Collection: Smart
Let no one rule your mind or body. Take special care that your thoughts remain unfettered... Give men your ear, but not your heart. Show respect for those in power, but don't follow them blindly. Judge with logic and reason, but comment not. Consider none your superior in life. Treat all fairly or they will seek revenge. Be careful with your money. Hold fast to your beliefs and others will listen.Collection: Life
People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't.Collection: People
The whole of the world could be deduced from the smallest grain of sand, if one studied it closely enough.Collection: World
Perhaps not one religion contains all of the truth of the world. Perhaps every religion contains fragments of the truth, and it is our responsibility to identify those fragments and piece them together.Collection: Responsibility
After a pause, he asked, 'What do you think of Nasuada's plans?' 'Mmm...she's doomed! You're doomed! They're all doomed!'She cackled, doubling over, then straightened abruptly. 'notice I didn't specify what kind of doom, so no matter what happens, I predicted it. How very wise of me.' She lifted the basket again, setting it on one hip. 'I supposed I won't see you for a while, so farewell, best of luck, avoid roasted cabbage, don't eat earwax, and look on the bright side of life!' And with a cheery wink, she strolled off, leaving Eragon blinking and nonplussed.Collection: Wise
Do not become so attached to any one belief than you cannot see past it to another possibility. Brom to EragonCollection: Past
If you wish to be happy,Eragon, Think not of what is to come nor of that which you have no control over but rather of the now and that which you are able to change" ~Oromis to eragon ,Brisingr~618Collection: Thinking
Only men would think of cutting themselves to determine who the packleader is. Idiots.Collection: Cutting
Are not all religions strange to those who stand outside of them?Collection: Strange
Let's drop rocks on them!Collection: Rocks
The trickster, the riddler, the keeper of balance, he of the many faces who finds life in death and who fears no evil; he who walks through doors.Collection: Doors
It s funny to see a hatchling like you beaten by the old one.Collection: Like You
My heart died a while back. [Eragon]Collection: Heart
I believe, Eragon, that you are full of love and that you are looking for one who will reciprocate your affection. No shame exists in that.Collection: Believe
To have a child is the greatest honor and responsibility that can be bestowed upon any living being. - AryaCollection: Children
I've never been helpless, I just have powerful enemiesCollection: Powerful